New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-07
THE CREu1TTOy or RAyD4LL.

Our Administration contemporary has bounced
into the National Coast Defence business with
the enthusiasm OF an amateur athlete taking
his first professional tumble in thrce-rng
circus. Nearly four columns OF The Star &"
were given yesterday morning to compact
and powerful review Of tie all-important qucs-
ton Of providing our harbors with suitable
FORTH, auons, and incidentally to the explosion
of a squib under the chair of Speaker Carlisle.
After startling that gentleman out OF anything
like parliamentary order, it reaches for the
scalp of Mr. William X. Morrison, and then,
merely pausing fer pleasant moment TO knock
Mr.. Economy Holman On the head, proceeds
lcisurcly TO mpalo. fay, draw. quarter and in
cinerate the mangled remains of that once
gifted and promising statesman, the Hon. SAM
uel j. Randall.
After preliminary warwhoop Of great vigor
but rather doubtful relevancy to the subject
at issue, and after asking itself and cyeryL ody
else in the universe who is to blame for the
sad condition Of our harbors, this is tho fash
ion in which the Administration organ sud
denly becomes personal, and perhaps disagree
ablo.
Congress and Congress alone IA rcsponsibe-not In
deed every man who belongs to that body for an en-.
lghtened and progressive few have from time TO time
sought TO remedy the weak and defenceess condition Of
the country but all in vain. But the leaders OF the
party In tho lower branch Of Congress the
responsible parties. We mean Mr. Speaker Carlisle We
mean Mr.. william X. Morrison. We mean especially Mr.
William 3. Holman. and, above and beyond all, because
his position in Congress him the power remedy
this great evil Mr. Samuel ]. Randall. lie il il
who baicd every effort thwarted every plan fought
every measure. that looked TO forifyng deencess
ard q dsaO f IA. haa
fought ideas OF everybody else Densely ignorant OF
whole question Of defences. he has refused receive
light and instruction from any quarter and has bindy
fought every suggestion for armament matter how
periodically urged or wisely conceived.
Having thus scattered all camness TO the
winds, The Stars" ghoulsh gcc dcsecnds
to a practical and lucid exposition Of the amaz-
ing turpitude OF Mr.. Rlndall's methods:
When pressed hardly this question he assemblies
Forney, OF Alabama. and Holman, who weakly do his
bidding; tells them that something must be done to ap-
pease the popular oaor works of defence and pro
poses that report made that entirely willing
to do, but don't know what 10 do and that as a pro
liminary appoint a board 10 report what shall be
done" So for years have had boards-boaris on
ordnance boards Notifications, boards torpcdoes
boards Steel boards on iron boards on army and navy
gun foundries boards Europe and boards 10 stay
at home, boards Of military officers, bcats Of naval
officers mi xed boards and Congressional boards tempo
rary boards and permanent boards Even Randall him
self went OF these boards and gave proof OF his
signal ignorance of the question Of guns ordnance by
reporting that should begin 10 make small guns before
attempting large Ones and that therefore I'VE should
first oonne ourselves to guns OF from eight to tn Give
inches caber" II the Hon. Samuel J. Randall regards
an eight twelve inch ri1e small gun. would like
TO have him define his idea OF large gun.
Then through two columns this cloudhurst
of Indignation envelopes the shreds and tatters
of the Randall fame. varied only by neat
tribute to Mr.. Timby's system Of coast defence.